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Research for Healthy Soils Act This bill includes research on the agricultural impacts of microplastics and PFAS in land-applied biosolids or compost on farmland as a Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension area. Microplastic is a plastic or plastic-coated particle that is less than 5 millimeters in size. Perfluoroalky and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. The bill specifically allows grants for carrying out or enhancing research in this area (e.g., the development or analysis of techniques, including wastewater treatment and composting, to filter out or biodegrade such substances from biosolids intended to be used for agricultural purposes). Further, the bill reauthorizes USDA grants to support competitive specialized research and extension activities, including high-priority areas, through FY2031. The bill also specifically reauthorizes through FY2031 the Pulse Crop Health Initiative; the Comprehensive Food Safety Training Network; pollinator protection research and extension grants; increased USDA capacity and infrastructure to address and conduct research on colony collapse disorder and other pollinator issues; and a USDA-conducted nationwide honey bee pest, pathogen, health, and population status surveillance program.
Market Impact Map
Action Timeline
2025-06-12
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
2025-06-12
Introduced in House
2025-06-12
Introduced in House
Full Bill Text
119 HR 3991 IH: Research for Healthy Soils Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-06-12 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3991 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 12, 2025 Ms. Perez (for herself and Mrs. Kim ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to include as a high-priority research and extension area research on microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on farmland. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Research for Healthy Soils Act . 2. Microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on farmland Section 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 5925(d) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (21) Microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on farmland Research and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of carrying out or enhancing research on the agricultural impacts of microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including structural firefighting foam, in land-applied biosolids or compost on farmland, including by— (A) conducting surveys and collecting data on concentration, particle size, and chemical composition of such substances in land-applied biosolids on farmland; (B) the development or analysis of techniques, including wastewater treatment and composting, to filter out or biodegrade such substances from biosolids intended to be used for agricultural purposes; (C) conducting an analysis of the impact on agricultural crops and soil health of such substances in land-applied biosolids on farmland, including the uptake of such substances by various crops or livestock; (D) conducting research to better understand how wastewater processing impacts such substances; (E) conducting research to better understand the fate, residence time, and transport of such substances on farmland; and (F) conducting research on how to remediate soil and water systems contaminated with such substances. . 3. Reauthorization of high-priority research and extension initiatives Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 5925 ) is amended by striking 2023 each place it appears in subsection (e)(5), subsection (f)(5), paragraphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (3) of subsection (g), and subsection (h) and inserting 2031 .
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